Scientists fight to save a glittering green bee after the summer fires

[Judi Lynn]

The beautiful green carpenter bee was badly affected by the 2019/2020 catastrophic bushfires. This is what scientists are doing to save it.

By The Conversation • July 10, 2020 • Reading Time: 5 Minutes



Last summer’s catastrophic bushfires significantly increased the risk of local extinctions of this magnificent species. Image credit: Marut Sayannikroth/Shutterstock

THE GREEN CARPENTER bee (Xylocopa aerata) is an iconic, beautiful native species described as a “jewel of nature” for its metallic green and gold colouring. Carpenter bees are so named because they excavate their own nests in wood, as opposed to using existing holes.

With a body length of about 2 centimetres, it is among the largest native bees in southern Australia. While not used in honey farming, it is an important pollinator for several species of Australian native plants.

Last summer’s catastrophic bushfires significantly increased the risk of local extinctions of this magnificent species. We have studied the green carpenter bee for decades. For example, after the 2007 fires on Kangaroo Island, we bolstered the remaining population by providing nesting materials.

To see our efforts – and more importantly, most of the habitat these bees rely on – destroyed by the 2020 fire was utterly devastating.

More:
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2020/07/scientists-fight-to-save-a-glittering-green-bee-after-the-summer-fires/